The high public enthusiasm in Lampung Province for watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup is seen as more than just temporary entertainment. Deputy Speaker II of the Lampung Province Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), Ismet Roni, views this phenomenon as a strategic entry point to foster collective awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle through sports.
Ismet highlighted the widespread public viewing (nobar) activities in various areas of Lampung as a strong indicator of the public's high interest in football. According to him, this golden momentum must be managed well to have a long-term impact on the health and character of the community, especially the younger generation.
"Sports are not only about physical fitness, but also an important instrument for building sportsmanship, discipline, and cooperation. We hope the public can use this enthusiasm as motivation to be active in sports in their daily lives," said Ismet in Bandarlampung.
Furthermore, he urged policymakers and relevant stakeholders to use the World Cup momentum as a turning point to strengthen regional sports infrastructure. Ismet emphasized the need to improve the quality of facilities and infrastructure, as well as a more structured and sustainable training system for young athletes.
Synergy between the government, educational institutions, and sports organizations is key to creating a solid development ecosystem. This concrete step is expected to identify talented individuals in Lampung so they can achieve higher accomplishments, both at the national and international levels in the future.
